When you visit the haircare aisle of your local superstore, it’s easy to get overwhelmed almost immediately. You’ll often see dozens of brands, each with their own dozens of options, and typically with a variety of words that only give you a vague sense of what the shampoo does. If you want to make sure you’re using the right type of shampoo, you need to be able to cut through the noise and understand what will work best. Here’s the rundown on these different types of shampoos.

Hydrating and Moisturizing Shampoo

As the name would suggest, this shampoo works well to restore moisture to hair. You’ll want to look for a “hydrating” or “moisturizing” shampoo if:

• Your hair is limp.
• You have very thick, curly or coarse hair.
• Your scalp is dry.

However, that moisture isn’t always a good idea. You should probably stay away from this type of shampoo if:

• You tend to struggle with greasy hair.
• You often have a lot of product buildup.
• You find your hair weighs down easily.

Volumizing Shampoo

A volumizing shampoo adds a bit of a boost to hair, offering body, thickness and bounce. It’s a great option if:

• You have very fine hair.
• Your hair is limp.
• You find that most shampoos weigh your hair down.

Although many people can benefit from volumizing shampoos, they’re not for everyone. Avoid volumizing shampoos if:

• You already have frizzy hair.
• Your hair is very coarse or thick.
• You have a very dry scalp.

Strengthening and Fortifying Shampoo

This type of shampoo typically includes protein, which can work wonders if you really need that extra dose of strength. This strength makes it great if:

• You’ve over-processed your hair.
• You’re planning to dye or process your hair soon.
• Your hair is brittle.
• You have weak or fine hair.

Although most hair types can use a strengthening and fortifying shampoo, some won’t really see any benefit. You might want to try a different type that can help more if:

• You already have very strong hair.
• You don’t process or dye your hair.
• Your scalp is very dry, itchy or flaky.

Smoothing Shampoo

These shampoos are typically very rich and offer smoothing agents to give you a jumping-off point for a straight and smooth style. That makes them a great start if:

• You want to create a smooth style for a special event.
• You have a lot of issues with frizz.
• You want to protect your hair before processing.

Of course, some hair types just don’t need that smoothing. Try something else if:

• You typically have very smooth or flat hair.
• Your hair lacks volume.
• You have a very oily scalp.

Clarifying Shampoo

Clarifying shampoos are somewhat special; instead of being your everyday shampoo, you should use these shampoos every so often to strip residue and buildup. They’re a great option if:

• You have very extensive buildup.
• You regularly swim in chlorinated water or use hairstyling products.
• Your scalp tends to produce lots of oil.

However, it’s important to be safe when using clarifying shampoos. Too much cleansing can stimulate more oil production, having the opposite effect. Only use it about once per week at most. Be careful with clarifying shampoos if:

• You have a dry scalp.
• You’re dealing with a scalp condition and not typical oiliness.
• You’re trying to maintain processed or colored hair.

Learning More About Your Shampoo Needs

Before you start your shampoo journey, you need to know what shampoo will work best. Even within these categories, there are plenty of different brands and ingredients that may play an important part in determining your perfect shampoo. When you want to get expert advice from knowledgeable people, an Ogle School clinical salon service can help. You can receive information and recommendations from students at the top of their classes, helping you understand which products will work best for you.

Conclusion

Shampoo is a complicated topic. If you’re able to understand a little more about what each type of shampoo does and how it helps your scalp and hair, you’re more likely to make the right choice. Check out the clinical salon services from Ogle School in your area so you can start with a shampoo that will support your personal haircare needs.